mixermanic
08-31-2009, 01:06 PM
Hi guys,
A very quick background: I studied Electronic Engineering at uni, and in my final year started depping (subbing for the US folks ;) ) as a keyboard player on touring musicals. After uni, I went into the job full time, worked my way up, and have spent the past few years as a musical director (conductor) on West End shows and UK tours.
Due to personal circumstances (my stepfather had a major stroke in late 2006), I had to go "home" (real "home" - with the parents "home") to help care for him, which entailed giving up my full time career and only do part time stuff (the odd couple of weeks on a show here and there).
ANYWAY, I have always been drawn to CG, and it's been a hobby for many years. Now I am free again, I am considering making it a career, which will involve some kind of education (I'm reasonable with CG, but not stunning, and I really need to consolidate my skills and get into the game properly).
So, do I go back to university for an animation degree?
On the positive side, I am 28, have been-there-done-that with the going out, wasting the first year, needing to go a little mad, and growing up; so if I go, I will *really* get my head down from the word go.
On the negative side, it's an expense (although I will still work part time), and it's a long time - 3 years at least. Maybe even 4. And I already have an Electronics degree.
What are the other options? Teach-yourself, which seems like a good idea (Digital Tutors, Gnomon etc.), but ends up with no formal qualification, or correspondence course?
Sorry this thread is a bit all over the place. Any thoughts would be appreciated though!
Cheers,
Martin
A very quick background: I studied Electronic Engineering at uni, and in my final year started depping (subbing for the US folks ;) ) as a keyboard player on touring musicals. After uni, I went into the job full time, worked my way up, and have spent the past few years as a musical director (conductor) on West End shows and UK tours.
Due to personal circumstances (my stepfather had a major stroke in late 2006), I had to go "home" (real "home" - with the parents "home") to help care for him, which entailed giving up my full time career and only do part time stuff (the odd couple of weeks on a show here and there).
ANYWAY, I have always been drawn to CG, and it's been a hobby for many years. Now I am free again, I am considering making it a career, which will involve some kind of education (I'm reasonable with CG, but not stunning, and I really need to consolidate my skills and get into the game properly).
So, do I go back to university for an animation degree?
On the positive side, I am 28, have been-there-done-that with the going out, wasting the first year, needing to go a little mad, and growing up; so if I go, I will *really* get my head down from the word go.
On the negative side, it's an expense (although I will still work part time), and it's a long time - 3 years at least. Maybe even 4. And I already have an Electronics degree.
What are the other options? Teach-yourself, which seems like a good idea (Digital Tutors, Gnomon etc.), but ends up with no formal qualification, or correspondence course?
Sorry this thread is a bit all over the place. Any thoughts would be appreciated though!
Cheers,
Martin